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Lot Essay
Constructed and finished to an exceptionally high degree the shaped back splat, conceived in imitation of a textile stretched between two bars, as well as the disc-turned front legs take their inspiration from antiquity and are based on a design by Karl Friederich Schinkel (1781-1841). A drawing by his assistant Ludwig Lohde of circa 1830 is preserved as part of Schinkel's estate at the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin (see illustration). Like other drawings by Lohde of this format it appears to be a 'cleaned-up' version of Schinkel's original drawing intended for publication.
Our knowledge of the history of this particular chair is based on yet another drawing, one by the Hanoverian architect G.L.F. Laves (1788-1864), who was shown the most recent building projects by his Berlin colleague Schinkel in May 1832 and on that occasion also sketched this chair (see illustration). During the visit Schinkel also took Laves to the Palais Cumberland, the Berlin residence of Laves' principal patron, Duke Ernst August of Cumberland and his wife princess Friederike, sister of Prussian Queen Luise. The chair must have been part of the furnishings of the Palais and is one of the most lavish chair designs by Schinkel.
The early 20th century inventory label identifies the chair as having subsequently been owned by the Berlin sculptor Heinrich Thiele.
Christie's is grateful to Dr. Achim Stiegel for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.
Our knowledge of the history of this particular chair is based on yet another drawing, one by the Hanoverian architect G.L.F. Laves (1788-1864), who was shown the most recent building projects by his Berlin colleague Schinkel in May 1832 and on that occasion also sketched this chair (see illustration). During the visit Schinkel also took Laves to the Palais Cumberland, the Berlin residence of Laves' principal patron, Duke Ernst August of Cumberland and his wife princess Friederike, sister of Prussian Queen Luise. The chair must have been part of the furnishings of the Palais and is one of the most lavish chair designs by Schinkel.
The early 20th century inventory label identifies the chair as having subsequently been owned by the Berlin sculptor Heinrich Thiele.
Christie's is grateful to Dr. Achim Stiegel for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.